It was a quiet night on the Backstreet bus.  It was about 10:30 at night and they would be traveling all night long.  All but two were asleep, Brian and Kari.  They were both up talking to each other into the night lately.  After what had happened to them, you know with Leighanne, Brian was spending more time with them all.

"Brian, do you think there will ever be a time where we can't see each other?"  she suddenly asked.

"Maybe, but for now, your the only girl in my life."  he answered with a smile.  No matter how many times she asked that, Kari always loved the answer.  They heard a little moan from the third bunk over.

"Dang it, Howie's snoring again.  Want me to go get the cottonballs?"  Kari laughed softly.  Brian shook his head.

"Not tonight.  Remember what happened last time?"  he asked.

"How was I suppose to know he was going to snort it in and swallow it?"  she answered.  Brian chuckled.

"That was pretty funny.  I loved the look on his face after he did that, and I got it all on film."  he said.  He let out a big yawn.  Kari soon did to.

"I thinks it's best we get to bed.  Big day tomorrow."  she said.  Brian agreed.  They both climbed into their bunks.  Brian's above Nick's and Kari's below Kevin.  They shut the curtains and shut off their lights.

"Goodnight angel."  he called.

"Goodnight butthead."  she replied.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The next morning they all awoke to see the bus had stopped.  This was kind of weird because they weren't where they were going.  They were parked in a rest stop.

"I thought Charlie said he could handle going the night."  said Kevin as he rubbed his eyes.

"Kev, Charlie lies a lot to.  He stopped, went to sleep and is in getting information inside the shelter."  said Howie, whos voice was muffled from inside his bunk.

"Nick, go get Brian.  I don't think he's up yet."  ordered A.j..  Nick nodded.

"Fine."  he answered, but then a small figure stepped in his way.

"No, i'll do it.  I'll use the blowhorn I always use on you."  Kari said with a sly smile.  Nick laughed.

"Alright.  This should be funny."  he said.  Kari ran to her bunk and grabbed the small blowhorn out of her bunk shelf.  She then turned and pointed it at Brian's bunk.  She gave it a sharp toot and then expected to see Brian coming out to kill her.  Nothing happened.

"That's strange.  Usually he sleeps so light.  A pin dropping could wake him up."  said Kevin.  Kari tried it again.  Nothing.

"Yo Brian, you sick?"  yelled Kari.  Still no answer.  She then flung open the curtain to the bunk and gasped.  Brian wasn't there.

"Dude!  Where is he?"  asked Howie.  They all shrugged.

"I'll go look in the shelter.  First the bus driver and now Brian.  What next?"  said A.j..  He pulled on a pair of his shoes and went out the door.  Nick followed him.

"This is no time to be playing jokes."  whispered Kevin.  Kari went back her bunk to put the blowhorn away when she spotted something in Brian's bunk, one top of his pillow.

"Guys?"  she said as she picked it up.

"What?"  Howie yelled back.

"I found something."  she yelled to them.  It was a small note.  She opened it up and read it.  She then put her hand over her mouth in shock.  Kevin saw this and took it out of her hands.  He read it out loud.

"I have him now and there's nothing you can do about it.  Watch your backs, i'll be back for you all, especially the girl.
Leighanne."  Kevin's eyes were wide.

"Oh my god.  I thought she was dead.  Kari, you said you killed her when you stepped on her."  said Howie.

"I did.  I saw her die.  She must be immortal."  she answered.  The her eyes went wider.

"Nick and A.j.!  They went outside!"  she cried.  They looked at each other and then ran outside.

"Nick, A.j.!  Where are you two?"  yelled Howie.  When there was no answer, they got concern.

"Hey freak and nintendo boy!  Get out here now!"  Kari yelled.  Suddenly, there was a flash of a greenish light.  Kevin, Howie and Kari stepped back.

"Oh no.  A.j.!  Nick!"  Kari screamed.  The light cleared and they looked around.  Then they saw Nick running at them as fast as he could.  He looked as pale as a ghost.  Kevin grabbed him and stopped him before he went by.

"Whoa, what happened?"  asked Howie.  Nick was breathing hard but he could still talk.

"There was a big flash, then A.j. was gone.  There was a woman laughing saying that I was next so I ran."  he explained.  They quiekly ran to the bus, got in and locked the door behind them.

"What are we going to do?"  asked Kari.

"I don't know.  The first thing we have to do is get out of here and to a city."  said Kevin.  He was about to sit down in the drivers seat when Kari spotted something else.

"Wait!"  she cried and Kevin straightend up.

"What now?"  he said with frusteration.  She walked quiekly over and put her hand by something on the seat.  They all could see now that there was a cockroach on it and Kevin was about to smash it.

"We're in a state of emergency and you want to save a roach?  I thought you were scared of them."  said Nick.

"Think about it Nick.  It's to cool around here for roaches to of this kind to live around here.  And we do know Leighanne is causing this."  she started.  Nick looked at her funny.

"We'll explain later."  said Howie.  Nick looked up again.

"Dude!  So that things Charlie?"  he said.  Kari nodded sadly.  This kind of scared Kevin.  He went to go turn the key and found nothing there.

"Guys, where are the keys to this thing?"  he asked.

"We didn't take them.  We can prove it to if you don't believe us."  said Howie.  Kevin sighed.

"Well, this is just great.  We're stuck in the middle of nowhere with a thought to be dead witch coming after us and three people missing.  This is just wonderful."  he said with sarcasim.

"What do you think happened to A.j.?"  asked Kari.  They all shuddered at the thought.

"He couldn't have been put back into the mirror."  said Howie.

"He better not have been.  If she's trying to put us back into those forms, so help me god.  I don't want to be a dog again."  he said.

"Calm down!  She probably won't get us in here.  She hasn't tried yet."  said Nick.  Kevin then looked out the window and saw something moving across the ground.

"Dude!  Look at the size of that snake!"  he said.  Everyone gathered around to see what he was talking about.  Sure enough, there was a huge python heading towards the bus.

"Guys, you don't think...do you?"  said Kari.  Everyone looked at each other.

"A.J.!"  they all said together.  There had to be someway to get out there and get him without being caught.

"I'll go.  I can dodge out of the way faster than all of you."  Kari volunteered.

"No, we can't risk it."  said Nick.

"Nicky, don't worry about me.  We succeeded last time, we can do it again."  she said.  Nick turned to the others.

"It's the only idea that one of us can think of.  We should let her try it.  If something happens and she gets, you know changed, she can help protect A.j. in his now very vulnerable postion."  said Howie.  Everyone agreed.  Kevin slowly opened the bus doors and Kari carefully stepped out.

"Good luck."  whispered Nick.  They shut the door behind her and she was on her own.  A.j. was now closer to where she was standing which would help her out.  She crouched down and began making her way to the snake.  When she reached the front of the bus, she peeked out to see if anyone was there.  No one.

"Pssst!  A.j.!"  she whispered.  Even though snakes don't usually have ears, he turned and looked at her when she said that.  He was now close enough that she could touch his skin.  Closer.  She was now able to pick him up.  She carefully grabbed him around the neck and he wrapped himself around her arms.

"Ow, not so tight!"  she whispered.  He losend a bit and Kari began to make her way back to the bus.  She was almost to the door when someone came up behind her.

"Help me."  came a small whisper.  She turned around and almost screamed.  It was Brian, but you could see right through him.

"Brian.  What has she done?"  she whispered back to him.

"Please help me.  I am trapped somewhere under the shelter house.  I am no longer in the form I always am so be prepared.  If you are wondering why you can see me now, I have stolen one of the witches pendents that can send out messages."  he said.  He suddenly turned his head and there was another voice. "No please!  No!"  he scream, and the image vanished.

"Brian!"  Kari cried.  Tears came down her face.  She then felt a firm hand on her shoulder.  She turned to find Kevin.  He pulled her inside the doorway and the door slammed.  She set A.j. down onto a table.

"Did you see it?"  she asked them.

"We all saw it.  It was in three different places so we couldn't miss it."  said Nick.  Kari was still in tears.

"Brian, please come back."  she said softly.  Nick pulled her into his arms to comfort her.

"He said he was under the shelter house.  Yet there's no way to get under there."  said Howie.

"We'll find a way D.  We'll find it.  Is A.j. o.k.?"  asked Kevin.  Kari turned and picked him up again.  She could see a few markings of his tattoos but that was about it.

"He's fine.  Not a scratch on him."  she answered.  She set him down again and got up.

"I've got two words that can sum this up.  This sucks."  said Nick.  Kari cracked a small smile.

"Guys, I've been hinding something from you this whole time.  I think its why Leighanne didn't die."  Kari suddenly said  Kevin, Nick and Howie got a look of concern on their faces.  A.j. looked up at her.

"Oh no.  What did you do?"  asked Howie.  Kari walked into the back and open one of the drawers to the television stand.  She pulled on one of the planks and it came out.  Behind it was an old shoebox.

"I thought that drawer was a little loose."  said Nick.  Kari pulled the box out and brought it back to the table.  She opened the cover to show what was inside.  The green amulet.

"It can't be!  Brian smashed it.  How can it be back together?"  Kevin said in shock.  Kari shrugged.

"I guess it's Leighannes power and immortality."  she said.  She pulled it out of the box so A.j. could have a look.  He let out a hissing nosie when he saw it.  He tried to wrap his tail around the chain but Kari pulled it away.

"Easy A.j.."  said Nick.  A.j. turned and gave him a menecing look.

"We have to save Brian, and we can use this to help.  Smashing before changed us back, maybe it can be done again."  said Howie.  He had already grabbed the rock Brian used last time.

"Alright, give it a shot."  said Kevin as he backed up.  Kari grabbed A.j. off the table and Howie brought the rock down onto the necklace.  Nothing happened.

"Man, she must be pissed if it didn't work."  said Nick.  Howie put the rock back and Kari once again returned A.j. to the table.  He went right for the amulet until Kevin pulled it away.

"Why does he want this thing so bad?  Doesn't he know its evil?"  Kevin asked.  Kari looked into the eyes of the snake.  No matter what form, A.j. still had those beautiful brown eyes.  She finally understood.

"He can help us."  she said.

"Help us?  How, he doesn't even have any limbs."  said Nick.  Kari sighed.

"When Kevin put the amulet on last time in animal form, he became human."  she said.  The others nodded.

"And now A.j. wants it to help him."  said Howie.

"Right."  she said.  Kari grabbed the amulet and brought it to A.j. who was still on the table, looking kind of mad.

"Knock off the attitude A.j.."  said Kevin who had also noticed it.  As soo as Kari set the neckalce down, A.j. went right to it.  This time, he nudged it up with his nose and made the chain go around his neck.  There was a flash of light that blinded them for a few seconds.  When it cleared, A.j. was standing there.

"What took you so long?"  he said with a little bit of anger in his voice.

"Well sorry.  It's not like we can speak snake."  said Nick.  A.j. gave him a mean look and then turned back to the others.

"Sorry.  To tell ya'll the truth, it was really scary being out there by myself in that way.  I was never so glad to see Kari before."  he said.  Kari put a hand on his shoulder.

"A.j., did you see anything?"  she asked him.

"I don't know.  I mean, I saw something but it's all a blur, but Charlie saw everything."  he said motioning to the roach on the dashboard.

"What did he see?"  asked Howie.

"Leighanne.  Him and Brian went into the house thing to ask how much longer to the city.  Leighanne caught them there.  He said that she paralyzed Brian and him so they wouldn't run or scream.  A strange vortex opened and pulled Brian down.  After he was gone, Leighanne turned on him, and well, you know the rest."  he explained.  They all listened in amazment.

"That why Lei came after us.  We got to close to the vortex.  I saw it."  said Nick.  A.j. ran a hand through his hair, glad that he had it again.

"But the problem is, everytime someone gets close to it something bad happens."  he said.

"Hey, at least being an animal is better than being in that mirror."  said Howie.

"Speak for yourself!"  snapped A.j.

"Alright, no fighting.  A.j., might their be away to get down there?"  Kari asked.  A.j. thought for a moment when he looked over at something.

"Your right Charlie.  Good thinking."  he said.

"What did he say?"  asked Kevin.

"There's a time zone that she doesn't come.  It comes like every fifteen minutes and last for about three."  he answered.  Everyone else looked at each other with a bit of happiness.

"That must have been the time when I came and got you and Brian sent the message.  How long has it been?"  said Nick.  Howie looked at the clock on the wall.

"About fifteen minutes on the dot."  he answered.

"We don't have much time.  We have to go now, but i'll go first seeing theres no worst she can do to me."  said A.j.  Kevin opened the door they all stepped out, A.j. leading them.  He looked around and then motioned for them to follow.

"Run!"  said Kari.  A.j. started to run for the back of the shelter house with the others on his tail.  He stopped at what looked like a huge puddle of spilt soup.  It was spinning around and around.

"What now?"  asked Nick.  Kevin turned and looked at him.

"We jump."  he said.  Before Nick could answer, Kevin and A.j. jumped into the thing and we're gone.  Howie went next, leaving Nick and Kari.

"You ready?"  he asked her.  She nodded and took him by the hand.  They jumped together, not knowing if they were ever going to get out this alvie or get their bestfriend back.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Ouff!"  Nick moaned as he landed on the ground.  He looked around and saw that he was in this cave thing.  By his side was his sister, who was also rubbing her behind from the hard fall.

"Where is everyone?"  asked Kari.  Suddenly she felt a cold hand around her neck and she almost screamed.  They covered her mouth to keep her from doing so.

"Shhh!  You don't want to be caught do you?"  whispered Howie.  She shook her head and he let her go.  She turned around to face them.

"What do we do now?"  whispered Nick.  All of them shrugged.  None of them knew where to go or even where to look.

"Hey, where'd A.j. go?"  asked Kari.  Sure enough, A.j. was gone.

"I don't know.  He was here a second ago."  said Kevin.  Suddenly Howie jumped as if someone put an ice cube down the back of his shirt.

"Found him."  said Howie as he picked up the snake.  A.j. was still wearing the amulet but he had changed back into the python.

"It must not work down here.  Sorry Bone."  said Kari.  She took the necklace from around his neck and placed it into her pocket.  She began to look around for a place to go when see saw a little light.

"Guys, I see something."  she said.  She stood up and began to walk towards it.  The guys followed her just to see what the heck she was talking about.  They all saw it as the light drew closer.  It was a doorway.

"Dude, this was to easy.  Way to easy."  said Nick.  They looked inside it but couldn't see much.  Now comes time they need A.j. again.  Howie sent him on the ground.  He slithered off into the room before they had to tell him what to do.

"Please god, let us be safe."  Kevin prayed softly.  A.j. soon returned.

"Well?"  asked Kari.  A.j. turned his head towards the door to indicate it was safe.  Kevin went up and looked inside the small doorway.  Then they all went inside.

"Wow."  said Kari.  There was a huge cauldren in the middle of the room with several things hanging from the walls and ceiling.  There was also a podium with a huge book bound with gold.  In the corner were several different sized cages.

"A.j., call for Brian.  He'll most likely answer if I think what happened did happen." said Howie.  There was a moments pause.  Then A.j. started to crawl toward this one area.  There was nothing but a blank wall.

"Dang it A.j., this is no time for games."  snapped Kari.  He just let out a hiss at her.  She began to back up at this and hit something behind her.  She turned to see it was a statue, but it didn't fall over.  It just tipped and there was a clicking noise.

"What did you do?"  whispered Nick.  Kari shook her head when suddenly, the blank wall opened up to reavel another room.

"Whoa, good move."  said Howie.  A.j. crawled in before them and went straight for a small cage in the middle of the room.  In it was a small dog.  A chiahuahua to be exact.  Kari gasped.

"B-Rok!"  she whispered.  He turned and looked at her.  His tail started wagging.

"You guys go ahead, i'll guard the door."  said Howie.  He stood outside while the entered the room.  Kari ran to the cage.

"Oh Brian, what has she done to you?"  she said.  A tear slid down her cheek.  She turned back to face the others.

"Just what happened to us."  sighed Kevin.  Kari turned back to see A.j. had approached the cage and they appeared to be talking to each other.  The only way they could tell it was Brian in there was his sharp blue eyes.

"I'll try and get the lock off."  said Nick.  He knelt down and pulled it upward to get a better look at it.  "Some witch, it's a combination lock.  I can crack these in a minute."  Nick began to turn the dial and listened for a click.

"I don't get it, this is going way to easy."  said Kevin.

"Yes!"  Nick said as he pulled in lock apart and off the cage.  the door swung open and Brian ran out.  Kari scooped him up into her arms and kissed him.

"Huh, it's usually you lifting me up."  she snickered.  He press his nose against he face.

"Lets get out of here, this place creeps me out."  said Kevin.  He turned to Kari.  "I wouldn't put him down.  A.j. might eat him."  Kari giggled.  A.j. just gave him a dirty look as Nick picked him up.

"Man, I never thought we'd be doing something like this in the morning.  I'm not even dressed yet and look at me, saving somebody from doom."  said Kari.  He bare feet were getting cold from the cave floor.

"Lets roll."  said Nick.  They all turned around and gasped.

"Hello everyone.  Did you miss me?"  it was Lei.  Her eyes were glowing a tint of green.  She was standing where Howie had been.

"You!  What have you done with Howie?"  yelled Kevin.  She just chuckled.

"Your just going to have to find out."  she turned her attention to A.j..  "No need for foul word Alexander.  Remember, I stand over you now."  She twirled her finger and Brian and A.j. were gone.

"Run!"  yelled Kari.  They ran at Lei but Lei just stood there.  Her eyes glowed brighter and they all froze, unable to move.

"I'm stuck!"  yelled Nick.  Neither of them could move an inch.  Lei laughed and approached Kevin.  Nick and Kari couldn't see what was going on because they couldn't even turned their heads.

"How did you change them?  You used potion last time."  said Kevin.

"Theres no need for it.  For you three, it's still in your bodies and theres no way to get it out.  For the others, I planted it in their food."  she answered.

"We will win."  he said in a low voice.  Lei just laughed in his face.

"Not this time."  she looked at the others.  "It's so good to have my original three to help the new comers with their forms."  her attention turned back to Kevin.

"Drop dead."  he said.

"To late."  she answered.  She once again twirled her fingers.  The other two could hear Kevin let out a cry and then was gone.  Lei walked in front of Kari.  Kari was so scared she couldn't talk.

"You look a little cold my dear, how about a coat?  A fur coat!"  she said.  She did the finger thing again.  Kari screamed and there was a flash.  Then she was gone.  Nick wanted to look so desperatly but could.  Then Lei's attention turned to the remaining one.  Nick glared as his eyes met hers.

"Kevin was right.  Good always wins over evil."  he said.

"Well, good surely isn't winning now is it?  This is just perfect for my plan."  she said.  Nick's eyes went wide.

"Plan, what plan?"  he asked.  Lei didn't answer.  She did the finger thing and Nick felt heat surround him.  It felt like his skin was burning off.  He could move again and he looked down at his hands.  They were changing shape.  He let out a scream and everything went black.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Low voices is what awoke Nick after what happened.  He opened his eyes to find himself in a cage with a lock on the door.  He blinked twice to get the blur out and looked again.  He then looked down at himself.  He was now in the cat body he remembered from last time.

"Aw man!"  he said to himself.

"Nicky?  Is that you?"  someone asked.  Nick knew that voice.

"Yeah.  Where are you D?  What happened?"  he asked.

"Over here!"  Howie yelled.  Nick looked up to see a falcon in a different cage above him.

"Whoa, to cool."  said Nick.

"I knew this was a bad idea.  I knew we should have stayed back on the bus where we might have been safe for the time being.  Now look at us.  Animals in cages."  Howie said sadly.  There was a slight banging nosie beside him.  Nick looked to see a small dog.

"Brian!  Man, am I glad to see you."  he said.

"You too buddy.  I thought i'd never you ya'll again."  he said.

"We didn't think we'd ever see you again either.  Then again, we never thought we'd also end up like this."  Nick turned around to see two sets of eyes looking back.  Kari and Kevin.

"I'm scared."  Kari said softly.  Nick wanted to be with his sister so bad.  He knew she was hurting and wanted to comfort her.  He turned again to see a smaller cage.  A.j.'s cage.

"We've gotta get out of here."  said Kevin.

"We know.  We're not stupid.  Now that Lei has the amulet back, we'll never get out alive."  Brian answered.  Suddenly, the door slammed open and light filled the room.  There stood Leighanne.  The amulet was around her neck and was glowing bright.

"So, are you all enjoying your five star accomodations?"  she said chuckling.  Kevin and Brian began to growl at her.

"You'll never get away with this.  People are going to notice us missing and will find us."  said A.j..  This made Lei laugh even more.

"Not after what I do."  she said with a smile.  She lifted her hands up and the door closed.  The room filled with light.  All of them could now clearly see they were in some kind of formation.

"What the?"  said Howie.

"Let me explain.  You all are going to be sacrifics to my leader and god.  Then he will grant me my wish and send me up six of his most loyal subjects.  They will all look and act like you.  So, that won't be a problem anymore."  she said.  Kari's eyes went wide with fear.

"No!  It's me you want!  Let them go and I will stay!"  yelled Brian.

"Brian, don't!"  Kari cried out.

"I have thought of that, but who were the ones who really sent me to this dark and damp corner of the earth?"  she said glaring at Kari.  Kari backed up as far as she could.

"Tis time.  Say your last prayers."  she said.  She walked over to a pedistil and climbed on.  She then picked up a book and began to read it with one hand in the air.  A swirl of green had already begun to form.

"Guys!  When it looks like something is going to happen, ram your cages as hard as you can to break the formation!"  whispered Howie.  He could see what she was reading and would tell them the time.

"By the guilding light of the vengeful heart, I summon thee to bring bindings to me and take these sacrifics on their last journey, I summon thee, I summon thee...."  Lei spoke.

"NOW!"  yelled Howie.  Just as Lei finish, all of the rammed their bodies into the sides of the cages.  All of them move and the formation broke.

"No!  What are you doing?"  she screamed.

"We're not dying today witch!"  yelled Kevin.  Lei was very angry.  Suddenly, a ball of light appeared in the middle and exploded.  When everyone looked back up, their were six figures in the middle.

'Yes!  He has granted without services!"  yelled Leighanne.  The figures stepped out and the others gasped.

"Oh no."  said Brian.  The six figures looked like them, sort of.  Except all of them had fire red hair, red eyes and a greenish tint to their skin.

"Welcome my subjects.  I hope your trip suited you well."  Lei greeted them.

"Yo Lei, how ya doin'?  Ya haven't been by much."  said the one that looked like Kari.  Something else was different about them.  The ones that looked like Brian, Kari and Nick were all wearing stuff that was made out of leather.  Brian and Nicks twins each had piercings in their eyebrows and lips.  Howie's twin looked more like a biker dude.  Tattoes everywhere.  Kevin's twin looked like a hard criminal.  They couldn't see A.j.'s twin.

"What took you?"  asked Lei.

"Well, we would have been here sooner, if goody two shoes over here hadn't disagreed."  said Kevin's twin.  The all stepped to the side to revial the figure behind them.

"No way!"  whispered Howie.  A.j.'s was more opposite that the other twins!  His hair wasn't colored and there wasn't a tattoo on his body.  He wore glasses and his clothes look like something that came out of Brian's closet.

"I did not want to come and do harm."  he said.  This made Lei a little mad.

"You will do as I say as long as your here!  Now come, meet who you are replacing."  she ordered.  She brought them to the cages the real Backstreet Boys were being kept.  She pointed to them.

"Those are the ones we look like?  They ain't much now, i'll say."  said Kari's twin.

"Everyone, I would like you to meet your altered egos.  Nivek, Eiwoh, Nairb, J.a., Kicn, and Irak."  Lei said with a smile on her face.

"No one will ever believe thats us!  Not in a million years!"  yelled Nick.  Kicn kicked his cage.

"Shut up pip-sqeek."  he said.

"Guys, this is wrong.  I mean, their mortals and we're not suppose to toy with them."  said J.a..  The others laughed.  Suddenly, Nairb put his arms around Lei.

"I missed you so much baby."  he said.  He and Lei kissed for a long time.  Finally they released each other.

"And to think I thought I loved that twin of yours.  He's nothing compared to you."  she purred.  Kari thought she was going to puke.

"Man girl, you sick or something?  Your all pale and stuff."  said Eiowh.

"The mortals here have flesh color of peach.  Not a healthy green like where we're from."  she explain.

"Those six are pretty quiet if you ask me."  said Nivek.

"Yeah, but usually they won't shut up.  Don't worry, they'll be dead in about a day."  she said.  She lead them out of the room and the door slammed shut, leaving the others in darkness.

"This is bad.  This is very bad."  Kari whispered.  Howie sighed.

"This cannot be happening.  That twin of mine is nothing like me!"  he said with anger.  There came a bit of a scratching noise.

"Who's doing that?"  asked Brian.  It stop for a second.

"It me.  That bimbo didn't learn her lesson and put a combo lock on my cage.  I think I can get it but with paws, it's going to be a while"  he called.  The scratching noise returned.

This is even worst then last time!  At least last time we had one able bodied person.  Now we got six imposters and a witch playing the grim reaper!  said A.j..

"Calm down, I've almost got it."  said Nick.  Suddenly, the door opened once again.  Nick jerked his paw back into the cage.  The room filled with light and they could see the figures face.  It was J.a..  He stepped inside and the door closed quietly behind him.

"You."  Kevin growled.  "What are you doing here?"

"Please, I mean no harm.  I've come to help you."  he explained.  Kevin stopped and was shocked.  From the look on the others faces, they were to.

"But, why?"  asked Kari.  "Your on they're side."

"I never wanted to be.  You see, i'm actually what you would call a guardian.  I protect the innocent from the evils of devilscraft."  he whispered.  He carefully began to turn the lock on Brian's cage.

"Wait a second, then why are the others twins bad?  Am I the evil one or what?"  A.j. spoke up.

"It's so split between our worlds and yours, that you didn't need one good or evil."  J.a. explained softly.

"Huh, I knew I wasn't that bad."  chuckled A.j..  There was a soft click and J.a. pulled the lock off of Brian's cage.  Brian ran out and there was a flash.  When it was over, he was human.  Brian looked down at his hands.

"Oh, i've never been so glad to see me."  he said with a smile.

"It's an advantage but it's only temporary.  Only the turn caster can remove the transformation spell.  Now, help me with the others."  J.a.. said strenly.  Brian released Nick and J.a. released Kevin.  They to were turned back.

"Thanks J.a.."  said Kevin.  It was soon Kari's turn.  Brian pulled the lock off the door and she came out.  The J.a. restored her to normal form.  Before he could react, Kari had her arms around him.

"I thought we would never make it out of here human."  she said.  Brian pride her off but held her hand.

"We must move quiekly.  Lei is in there teaching them how to be you.  We must get out and close the portal, trapping them."  J.a. explained.

"Hey, any plan is a good plan."  said Howie, who was dusting himself off from being in that cage.  J.a. waved his hand and the door opened slowly.  The light in the room went out.  They all could hear talking coming from the next room.

"No way!  I ain't wearing no prissy boy stuff!"  came the voice of Kcin.

"You are going to wear it whether you like it or not.  Or would you rather going back to where you came from?"  said Lei.

"Uh, no"  Kcin said swiftly.

"Now."  whispered J.a..  They slowly made their way out of the room and creped along the wall, keeping in the shadows.  They could see everything going on.

"What is wrong with the girl?  Pop music, three quarter sleeve shirts, flared jeans?  Where's all the leather, the earrings?  This girl ain't got no style."  whined Irak.  Kari sent her a mean look.  They went along to the next room when...

"And where do you think your going?"  a voice boomed in front of them.  Lei had found them.  The others soon surrounded them.

"I thought you would do that J.a..  So, I placed a curse on you so I could read your thoughts."  snickered Lei.  The others laughed along with her.

"Hey, when did you get power to change things back?"  yelled Eiwoh.  J.a. stood silent.

"Let us go, we didn't do anything." yelled Nick.

"You intruded on my life.  That's something.  Get them!"  she ordered.  The twins lundged at them with full force.

"Know your weaknesses!  Your double has them too!"  screamed J.a..  It was a total brawl.  They could hear Irak scream as Kari pulled out a chunk of her red hair.  Nick just barely missed a punch thrown at him.  A.j. and J.a advanced on Lei.

"Traitor."  Lei hissed.

"Oh shut up."  said A.j..  Lei sent a lightning bolt at him but he ducked.

"AH!  The spell, it's wearing off!"  yelled Kevin.  His skin was turning dark.  The other began to show signs for changing.  Luckly for them, it was very slow so they had enough time.  Lei's amulet was glowing bright.  She was becoming more powerful.

"No one can stop me!"  she screamed as she grew in height.  She soon towered over the two A.j.'s.

"Whoa."  said Nivek.  He and the other twins stopped fighting.  And when they stopped, the real ones stopped.

"What are you doing!"  said Eiwoh yelled up.

"My little pawns.  I was never going to send you to the surface."  she bellowed.  Suddenly, she had a look of shock.  "I must go, but I will return fully recharged.  And don't try to escape, for all exits will be blocked."  She gave a high pitched laugh and then was gone, leaving them all looking in amazment.

"She betrayed us.  Our own friend."  Irak said with sadness in her voice.  Nairb put an arm around her shoulders.  All of the twins looked very sad.  The real ones just looked weird.

"Please, you all have to help us.  Look at us."  said Kevin.  They all looked up.  Kevin's skin had gone completely black and was covered in fur.  A.j.'s skin had also changed to a scaly pattern and his pupils were now just slits.  Brian's nose had gone black and he began to form pads on the palms of his hands.  Howies hair was now feathers and his fingers were meshing together.  Nick's eyes were also at slits and his tail grew back.  The tips of Kari's ears were black and pointed, her nails were now claws.  Her teeth had already become fangs.

"But after all we've done to you.  Why would you want us?"  asked Nivek.  Kevin smiled.

"You guys are the same as us.  If we team up, we can do anything."  he answered.  The twins turned to J.a..

"We should have listened to you.  You were right."  said Eiwoh.  J.a. smiled too.

"Say that again."  he said.  Nivek looked at him funny.

"I said we should have listened..."  he started.

"No, the part where you said I was right."  laugh J.a..  Kari approached them.

"Are you sure there's nothing you can do for us?"  she asked.  Irak shook her head.

"The potion you consumed was the personality transformation one."  she said.

"And in english that would mean?"  asked Nick.  Irak sighed.

"Each of the creatures you changed into fits your personality.  Like for you Kari, your sly and sneaky.  Just like a fox.  Nick is crafty and mischevous like a cat.  A.j. is tough like a python.  Nothing can stand in his way.  Howie is sharp, and keen like a falcon.   Brian and Kevin are loyal but Brian's matches his playfulness and Kevin's matchs his intellegence."  she explains.

"Well, that helps a bit."  Nick said sarcastically.  Brian hit him in the arm.  Nick shut up.

"Plan, now."  said Eiwoh.

"We're thinking, we're thinking!"  snapped Kcin.  Suddenly both Brian's and Nairb eyes lite up.

"Get the amulet."  said Brian.

"Yeah!  That's what did her in last time.  Well...sort of."  said Irak.  She reached her hand up to scratch her mouth when Kari noticed the three scars on her hand.

"You too?"  she said.  Irak looked up.

"You too what?"  Irak said with an attitude.  She looked at her hand.  "Oh, accident with a wild animal."  Kari showed her now black hand.  It still had the three scars.

"I got mine the first time we had an encounter with Leighanne's magic."  she softly.  Irak  gasped.

"I guess we have more in common then let on."  she answered.

"Yo, girly twins, get your butts over here!  yelled Nivek.  They ran over.

"O.k., We will each scatter.  Brian, Nairb, your over there.  The girls will be over here.  Kcin, Nick, over there.  Eiwoh and Howie will be near the podium.  J.a. and A.j. will be back in the hidden room.  Kevin, you and I will be across from Brian.  The second part it going to be illusion.  I can make it so it will look like you all will be changed back and in cages.  You will remain hidden till I say.  My friends and I will not be hidden when she returns.  Got it?"  he said quiekly.  They all nodded.

"Let's roll."  said Nick.  They all went for their assigned places.  The twins stayed revealed.  They got there in the nick of time because there was a loud boom and a cackle of Leighannes voice.

"Remember J.a., she can read your thoughts so keep your mind on something else."  whispered  Eiwoh.  J.a. nodded.  There was a sudden flash and Leighanne appeared.

"Sorry for leaving you my little pawns."  she said a cheerful voice.

"We live to servive you our dear friend.  We would not fail you."  said Irak.

"And the Backstreet Boys?"  she asked.

"Changed and in cages.  The girl to."  said Kcin.  Lei smiled when she saw six cage with six animals looking out.  Nivek's illusion was working.

"Good.  Very good indeed."  she said.  She then turned to J.a. who gazed upon her with his deep red eyes.  "And as for you, I will give you second chance.  But if you screw up, you will suffer a fate worst than death."  J.a. nodded.

"We will keep goody-two shoes in line."  said Nairb.  The made Lei even more happy.

"Good.  Now, to continue before we were interupted.  You all have singing ability.  Well, all except Irak.  When you go to the surface, you must remember you will be chased by foolish mortals and will have to perform for them."  she explained.  She began to approach the podium.  All the twin's eyes went wide when they saw she was heading right for Howie.

"Uh, Lei?"  Eiowh spoke up.  She turned around.

"What it's it?"  she said in a mean voice.

"If those mortals get to close, can we put a freezing curse on them?"  he asked.  Lei gave him the evil eye.

"No you dope.  What, you want to be found out right away or something?  No curses, spells, charms, or anything around mortals."  she snapped.

"And yet you still used magic on these mortals."  said Irak.  The made Lei a little more mad.

"They were in my way so I had to.  Even so, they'll never live to tell the tale."  she said looking at the 'animals'.

"Oh, and Lei..."  said Kcin.

"What is it now?"  she hissed.  Kcin smiled.

"You lose."  he whispered.  Nivek gave the signal and the others came out.  While they were in hiding, they had changed even more.  The transformation was half done.

"It'ssssss you againsssssst all of ussssss now Lei"  A.j. said, now unable to control how he said his S's.  Lei was surrounded.

"Had over the amulet!"  Kari screamed.  She was posed and ready to attack with her claws.

"You betrayed us Lei, now it's our turn."  said Nairb.  Lei just laughed.

"I will never give up my powers.  Never!"  she yelled.

"Then we shall take it.  Get her!"  yelled Kevin.  They all attacked her.  Howie flew upward (His arms had fully turned to wings) and tried to knock her down by nailing her in the head.  The twins were trying to hold her down to get it when they were thrown backwards.

"I got it!"  yelled Kari.  She ran up and slashed her claws against Lei's face.  Lei screamed and fell, no longer able to see.

"Nice shot."  said Brian.  Kari smiled with pride.  Brian was now a bit shorter than he usually is.  Heck he was down to Kari's height.  He went up to pull the amulet off but was throw back when it shocked him.

"It's protected by magic!  As long as she is awake, we can't take it!"  cried Eiwoh.  A.j. got an idea.  He wrapped his arms around her and squeezed hard.  His strengh was to much to run away from.

"Ssssssee what you get we you turn ssssssomeone into a python?  You forgot that they conssstrict their prey!"  he laughed.  Lei's face turned a little red and her eyes began to close.

"Dude, it's working!"  said Nick.  Lei's body went limp and her eyes shut.  A.j. released her and she fell to the floor.

"Don't messssss with the A.j.."  he said.  Brian ran up and pulled the necklace off of Lei.  He had a little bit of trouble because his fingers had grown so short.

"Man, you guys are a mess."  said Irak.  It was true.  Brian pretty short now and the lines of his clothing began to disappear.  Howie's lips were hard as a rock and his face was pushing forward.  A.j.'s arms were becoming thinner and his hair was all gone.  Even his tongue was forked.  The other three had the same changes.  Their ears had moved to the tops of their head and they no longer hand much human skin.

"I don't know how much longer we can hold it off."  whispered Kari.

"Well, your not going to have to wait long.  As long as we have the amulet, we rule her.  Brian, could I have it?"  asked J.a..  Just as Brian handed it over, he fell to the ground, unable to stand upright anymore.  His transformation was almost complete.  The others stood by watching as Brian howled in a pain as the rest of him changed back.  When it was over, he was a dog again.

"Oh man, that'll be us anytime now."  said Kevin.  Suddenly, Lei began to stur.  They all took a step back as Lei began to stand up.  Irak had grabbed Brian.

"How dare you do that!"  she screamed weakly.  She then looked around at them.  Then she touched around her neck.

"Looking for this?"  J.a. asked, dangling it in front of her.  She reached for it but he brought it away.  She looked at him with anger.

"You may have gotten my amulet, but the it's to late for the mortals."  she said pointing at them.  Nivek, Kcin and Irak turned to see the others in pain from turning back.

"Eiwoh, Irak, Nairb!  Keep watch on Lei, we'll help them."  said J.a..  They went to their falling twins to see if there was anything they could do to help.  Of course there wasn't anything they could do about them changing back.  Before they knew it, it was all over.  The twin's turned to Lei.

"Now, for your part.  You are going to change them back."  hissed Irak.  Each of the twins stood by the real ones.  Howie's flew over and landed on top of Eiwoh's shoulder.

"No."  she answered.  Kevin, Brian, and Kari growled.

"Wrong answer dear."  Brian said.

"We rule you now Lei.  Now change them back!" yelled J.a..  Lei wanted to say something but didn't.  She just got up and went to her podium and opened her book.

"The spell will be broke if the main source is broken.  That means the amulet.  But, my amulet cannot be broken."  she sneered.  Nivek pushed her aside and read it.

"You seem to have forgotten to read the part about trapping the owner."  he said.  She got a look on her face as if to say uh oh.  Irak and Nairb grabbed her arms.  She immdeatly struggled.  Nivek began to page through the book for something.

"I can't hold her!"  Irak yelled and Lei broke free.  She started to run for the enterence when something held her back.  She turned to see Kevin, Brian and Kari had latched onto her robe and were pulling her back.  Howie flew over and landed in front of her.

"Going somewhere?"  he asked.  Lei stopped and Irak and Nairb grabbed her again.

"Nairb, I know you don't want to do this to me.  I love you Nairb, don't hurt me."  she said.

"Don't listen to her dude!  She tried to pull this one off last time!"  yelled A.j.  Nairb ignored the witch.

"Please Nairb, you know what happens to me if I don't return to my first layer."  she said.  Nairb laughed.

"Of course I know.  But, I have to stick by my friends and our doubles.  To bad for you."  he said.

"Irak, you like me don't you?"  she asked for a last minute idea.

"After what you did to my brother that one time?  Not a chance."  she answered, jesturing to Kcin.  Lei had lost hope.  Her eyes began to glow and it came out of her mouth and nose.  She screamed as a green light began to swirl around her.  Irak and Nairb let her go as it picked her up.

"Bye."  J.a. said softly as the light flashed and disappeared.  It was over.  On the floor lay a tiny beetle.

"You all suck."  it said.  Kari walked up and kicked it.

"That's for making me into a fox again."  she said.  Eiwoh picked the tiny bug up and placed it into a tiny cage.  Suddenly, the ground began to rumble.  The cave was coming down.

"Quiekly!  We've gotta get out of here!"  yelled Irak.  Twins ran with the animals right behind them.  The stopped when they reached the main enterence.  Kcin grabbed A.j. and pushed him through the swirling guck.  He did the same to Nick and him and J.a. jumped through.  Nairb picked up Brian, Irak picked up Kari and they jump through together.  Howie flew through with Eiwoh right behind them, and Kevin and Nivek.  Then everthing went black.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Kev, wake up!"  Brian yelled.  Kevin's eyes slowly opened and he saw his cousin was fully human.

"It worked!"  he said.  Brian helped him up.  Kevin took a look around.  They were all there, including the twins.  But they looked different now.  All the features that were different than the real ones, were now the same.

"Man, what a rush!"  said Kcin.  He helped Nick up from the ground.

"It's nice to be back."  he said.  He looked over to where Nairb and Irak were.  Nairb had his arms around her.  Kcin noticed this to.

"It's weird.  Even though Irak's my sis and all, she seems to have this kind of bond with Nairb.  They are really good friends and would die for each other."  he said.  Nick turned around.

"Really?"  he asked.  Kcin nodded.  They began to walk back to the bus.

"To tell you the truth, Irak's not even my sister.  Me and the guys found her one night in the underworld."  he said.  Nick's eyes went wide.  They stopped when they made it there. Brian and Kevin were already back at the bus.

"So, what happens now?"  asked Brian.  Suddenly, the ground began to shake.  They all turned to see some greenish smoke coming up from the ground.  It began to take shape and they all relized it was Leighanne.

"You all may think you have won, but i'll be back.  Remember, I never die so watch your backs!" she screamed and it disappeared.  They all turned to face each other.

"Oh god I hope she wasn't serious."  said Howie.

"Believe us, she was."  said Eiwoh.  Nivek pulled the amulet out of his pocket.

"As long as we have this, we can never return to the underworld.  But we can't stay here."  he said.  The twins all lowered their heads.

"This means we have to return to the skies."  said J.a..

"The skies?"  asked A.j..

"Yes.  Since I am a guardian, I have taken my friends to where I work and watch over you.  I can take them there and they will be safe."  he explained.

"Will we ever get to see you all again?"  asked Kari.

"If Lei ever comes back, you bet."  said Kcin.  Kari smiled and then backed up.

"We'll never forget you."  said Brian.

"Us either.  You dudes were always so nice to us."  said Nairb.  Brian laughed.

"By the way, nice clothes."  said Irak.  They all looked down to see they were all still in their pajamas.

"Thanks."  A.j. said sarcastically.

"We must go now.  We bid you all farewell."  said Nivek.  He put his hand out to Kevin.  He shook it and they both backed up.  J.a. pressed something on his wrist and they all began to fade away.

"Goodbye!  Make sure you get a few holes in your head!  You all look to preppy!"  yelled Irak.  And they were gone.  They all breathed a sigh of relief.  Then they relized they were still in their p.j.'s

"Who knew.  Go to sleep waiting to arrive in the next town, wake up and find a new friend."  said Brian.

"Couldn't have said it better myself."  said Nick.  Suddenly, Kari gasped.

"We forgot about Charlie!"  she yelled.  They ranonto the bus to see him towards the back.

"Charlie, are you...."  A.j. started.  Charlie raised up one hand.

"Don't even try to explain it.  Lets just get the heck out of here or we'll be late."  he siad.  He climbed into the drivers seat and started the bus up.  The rest of them sat down.

"So how long do you think it will be before Lei returns?"  Howie asked.  Kari shuddered.

"I don't think I really want to know."  she said.  The bus pulled out of the rest stop and they all watched it disappear.  Nick then looked to the skies.

"I don't know D.  But when she does, we have six very handsome and one cute guardians to help us."  he said.  The bus continued on.  Their destination was only a while ahead.  Kari looked up at Brian.

"Brian, do you think there will ever be a time where we can't see each other?"  she suddenly asked.  Brian smiled.

"Maybe, but for now, your the only girl in my life."  he answered.  No matter how many times she asked that, she always loved the answer.